Prize scheme affects elderly, but resources available


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SALT LAKE CITY — Whether by phone, by mail or by computer, Canadian con artists are infiltrating the minds of many elderly people and tricking them into parting with their life savings.

It happened to Utah resident Larry Wanner, who worked more than five decades to have some money saved when he retired. But he lost part of his savings when he sent $8,000 of it to Canada.

Wanner had received a prize letter in the mail and called the phone number to ask about a $650,000 jackpot. The man on the other end of the line convinced him to send cash inside magazines to cover the taxes on the prize.

"I dialed the number and talked to him, and he was very nice to me," Wanner said.

Nearly a year after he sent the money, he hasn't received his promised jackpot and realizes he was scammed by the nice man he'd called.

"The money is gone and as far as I'm concerned it's gone," he said.

For his daughter it was another reminder that her father, who has suffered a stroke, is vulnerable to con artists.

"Dad's been scammed four times now," Cindy Paskett said.

She found police were little help when it came to investigating the case and worries that her dad will fall for future scams.

"You've got a target on your back, and they're going to come at you as long as you're breathing," she said.

Laura Polacheck, communications director for AARP of Utah, said con artists prey on the elderly who may be lonely or see a windfall as a way to pay for end of life care.

"Con artists are experts in psychology," Polacheck said. "They'll solicit questions from you, so they act as if they're your friend even though they know nothing about you."


Con artists are experts in psychology. They'll solicit questions from you, so they act as if they're your friend even though they know nothing about you.

–Laura Polacheck, AARP of Utah


AARP recently launched a new Fraud Watch website to help potential victims and their families fight back against scams. Users can share their own experiences, learn about new schemes and sign up for e-mail alerts.

"You'll get alerts about what actually is going on in your own community," Polacheck said.

She recommends children share this site and talk to their aging parents. After all, she said, con artists share information.

"One thing that's particularly insidious is sometimes they sell Alzheimer's lists and they'll call people with Alzheimer's and they'll say, 'Were's the check?' And the person will know their memory is diminished and they'll say, 'Oh I'm sorry, where am I supposed to send it?'"

As for Wanner, this latest experience has changed his thinking.

"I can't trust anybody at all," he said.

Wanner has turned over control of his finances to his daughters so he won't be victimized again.

To access AARP Fraud Watch Network, go to: www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/fraud-watch- network/ or contact AARP Fraud Watch Network at 1-877-908- 3360.

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